The Federal Government has launched a landmark reform to integrate sports into Nigeria’s education system. The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, CON, announced the initiative in Abuja, stating, “Sports is Education, Education is Sports.”
Speaking at the inauguration of a 20-member National Sports–Education Review Committee, he emphasized the importance of nurturing talent from grassroots to elite levels, citing Brazil and Argentina as examples.
Dr. Alausa noted that despite over 16 million Nigerian youths engaging in sports betting, the country still lacks a thriving sports economy. To address this, he unveiled plans for a Sports Development Fund to support athletes, improve sports infrastructure, and standardise curricula.
The committee will review accredited Physical and Health Education, Sports, and Sports Science programmes under the NUC, NBTE, NCCE, and NERDC. The review will focus on course content, teaching methods, and the introduction of globally relevant sports courses.
The government will establish Sports Centres of Excellence in six geopolitical zones, located at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, University of Benin, University of Ibadan, University of Jos, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri.
Additional centres will be set up at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, and the Federal College of Education, Okene, with ₦3.5 million allocated per centre in the 2025 budget.
Stakeholders, including Mr. Usman Ejeh, Prof. Adamu Ahmad, Dr. Ibrahim Mosimabale, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, Dr. Kweku Tandoh, and Mojoyin Adebajo, described the reforms as timely for developing a strong sports economy and producing world-class athletes.
The Ministry pledged sustained funding, partnerships, and ongoing reforms to ensure graduates are academically sound, physically fit, and globally competitive.